Twine knotter



March 2, 1954 c. s. RUDEEN TWINE KNOTTER Shees-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 11, 1951 Carl S. Rudeen IN V EN TOR.

C. S. RUDEEN TWINE KNOTTER March 2, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 11, 1951 ay l4 Carl Rudaen INVENTOR.

Patented Mar. 2, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TWINE KNOTTER Carl S. Rudeen, Pocatello, Idaho Application October 11, 1951, Serial No. 250,824

11 Claims; 1 This invention comprises novel and useful improvements in a twine knotter or tyer and is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 206,161, filed January 16, 1951,

now Patent No. 2,644,703, issued July '7, 1953, and

is an improvement of the construction of a twine knotter.

The primary object of this invention is to simplify the construction of a mechanism for increasing the pressure on the baling strand during the bale chamber pressing operation and for sequentially decreasing the pressure during the knot tying operation.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide a device for accomplishing the foregoing object in a more positive manner than by methods heretofore known.

A specific improvement over my copending applications, hereinbefore cited, is the replacement of the tensioning means for the trigger plate by a leaf spring tensioning means.

These, together with various ancillary features and objects of the invention, which will later become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by the present invention, a preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated, by way of example only, in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a knot tensioning device for balers incorporating therein the novel tensioning means of this invention;

, Figure 2 is a vertical transverse sectional detail view taken upon an enlarged scale of a portion of the spring and its tensioning member of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view illustrating the particular portion of the strand tying mechanism on which the controlling elements of the present invention are applied; and,

Figure 4 is a group perspective view of the elements for varying the tension of the trigger spring and associated mechanism of Figure 2.

Reference is now made more specifically to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, those portions of the present invention which are of conventional design or are identical with those disclosed in my above identified copending applications are indicated herein by the same numerals applied in said copending applications, for simplicity and clarity of explanation of the functioning of the improved construction of this application with respect to those of my copending applications.

- As shown in the accompanying drawings, the numeral 61 designates generally the knotter supporting frame, mounted in the usual manner upon a baler, this frame journaling a shaft 88" upon which is fixed a pair of holder disks or plates 88 having notched peripheries for receiving a portion of a strand I ll for tying a knot therein. Pivotally mounted upon the support frame 61 is a lever 92 constituting a twine holder trigger, and disposed between the pair of plates 88 as shown in Figures 2 and 3 for frictionally pressing the strand Ill of twine in the notches of the holder plates [8. The trigger 92 is provided with a lug or raised portion 232 for receiving a tensioning means in accordance with this invention, whereby a controllable and variable pressure is applied to the trigger and thence to the strand I I! for varying the tension to which the strand is subjected during the tying and baling operation.

Journaled in the knotter support 61 is a driving shaft 390 having a gear 302 whereby the shaft is driven from the customary driving means for the knotter assembly. At its other end, the driving shaft 300 is provided with a worm gear 304 which is enmeshed with a pinion 3% carried by a shaft 308 having at its other extremity the customary knotter bill hook for tying a knot in the strand H1. The shaft 308 is, in turn, connected to a conventional gearing mechanism (not shown) with the shaft 88' whereby the holding or tensioning plates 88 are operated in timed relation to motion of the knotter hook, the foregoing construction representing a well known arrangement which, in itself, forms no part of the present invention, although it is to the structure that the improvement of this invention claimed herei after, is applied.

In accordance with the present invention, mechanism is provided for automatically, and in properly timed relation to operation to the other parts of the strand knotting device, varying the tension of the strand during various cycles of the knotting operation.

In the present invention, however, the above mentioned driving or actuating shaft 300 is provided with an actuating cam 3H! thereon which cam varies the tension or force applied to the trigger plate 92 in synchronized relation with operation of the knotting mechanism.

Mounted upon a suitable standard 3l2 carried by the knotter support frame 61, is a cylindrical bushing BM in which is journaled a crank shaft 3H5 having a crank arm 318 depending from one end of the same. This arm, at its lower end, is provided with a bifurcated extremity 320 in which is rotatably journaled a cam follower roller 322 engaging the cam 3H] for rocking motion thereby.

As will be best apparent from Figures 1 and 2, the bearing 34 and the upper end of the standard 3| 2 is bifurcated, and between these bifurcated portions a shaft 3H5 has welded or otherwise fixedly secured thereto a tangentially positioned spring adjusting plate 324. An internally threaded diametrically disposed bore 326 extends through the shaft 3l6 and through the plate 324, and an adjusting bolt 328 is provided having an actuating head 330, a shank portion 332 and a screw-threaded extremity 334 received in the screw-threaded bore 32$, and provided with a lock nut 336.

It will thus be apparent that the bolt 328 may be adjusted radially or diametrically of the shaft M6 and locked in adjusted position.

A lead spring 338 of a flat strip of resilient ma-. terial such as steel or the like, is provided, having an angularly disposed flat upper'enddte provided with a longitudinally elongated slot 342, through Which the shank 332 of the bolt'330 loose- 1;; extends as shqwnin Figure 2. It will be noted that the junction 3'44 of the angulated portion 3;) withthe spring shank 338 provides an'abutmentsurface, which, as 'shownin Figure 2,bears against'the "surface oi'the plate or block 324. At thesametimathe head 33B engages the angulate e' li 'rtiq w hu p r ne a d retaining the 'spifing in positionyand actuating'the same the following manner.

ds the camiilil which is fixed to the shaft 380 rtetes it w l i al engage h ol 2 andthus cause a vertical pivoting or oscillatory indvei'nent of the lever 3l8 in a vertical plane. This oscillatory movement of the lever or crank arm will impart arccking motion to the shaft "3H3 "and by virtue of engagement of the head 33}! with the angulatedportion 343 of the spring -an "oi the iulcrum '34s with the block 324, will turn impartfa clockwise rotation to the spring, causing the lower end of the latter, where it restsupon the lug 232 of the trigger plate 92, todepr ess "the trigger plate between the holder plates 88 and thereby increase the frictional grip'upon the strand H7, and increase'the tens sign on that strand.

, Thamechanism is so timed with respect to'the githerelements'oi the 'baler that the tension upon the "spring '338is increased as the material is compressed in the bale, thereby increasing the tensiqnfof the strand, but this increased tension isifgifadufally reduced byvirtue of the nose of the camaloyleavin'g the roller 322 as theknetting hanks begin their operation through the drive means 304, 306.

The present invention permits easy adjustment 6i the range of the variation of tensioning through the screw threaded engagement of the bolt "328 with the shaft 3l6. The elongated slot 3H,:permits the'necessary angular movement of the bent'lever of the spring with respect to its support means and during pivoting movement oi this bent lever.

Erom the foregoing, the construction and ope eration of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in theart, it is not desired to limit the inven-v tion to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended; claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

LA ress re qc ml ine device c mp isi meansfe h ld n a trand, I means seamst ess 4 said holding means for applying tension to a strand and means for applying a variable pressure to said holding means, synchronizing means operatively connecting said pressure applying means with said tensioning means, said synchronizing means including a control shaft, said shaft having cam means for actuating said pressure applying means and gearing means for actuating said-tensioning means, said tensioning means including a leaf "spring resiliently engaging said holding means.

2. A pressure controlling device comprising means for holding a strand, means spaced from said holding means for applying tension to a strand and means for applying a variable pressure to said holding means, synchronizing means 'op'eratively connecting said pressure applying means with said tensioning means, said tensioning and pressure applying means each having a cyclic pe i s id, re s ap y n mea sp i e y incr a ng d de asi th res.- sure on said holding means during predeterminedperiodsof th cycle of operation of said 'tensioning-means, said tensioning means includ ing a leaf spring resiliently engaging said hdlde 'ing means.

for applying a variable pressure *to said "holding m a s, sa d s means in ludinea spr ng 2 siliently engaging said holding means, .combined supporting and stressing means for saidspring, a p ng hav ananieul r y disposed po tion w th an l ated s ot the n, said. Supporting d str ss ng m s pris n a crank shaft havin amateth re n, a bolt extend thr u h said slot and saidplate, said spring abutting said. p te- 5- A p sure cqn ronins de i e c mpris n 'mea isj or h din -a strandmean s ac d f om sa d holdi m an for apply n tension tea st and and m a sf' i 'appl i 'a variameip'ressure? to said herdin means' y ch n z ng means one ativ y connectin said pre su e applyin m a with 'said n on ns mea a said tens n: ing "a-nd'pressure, applyingx meansv each'having a. yclic operation, sa dn e'ssur app y ng mean pectiv ly i creasin n de r asj ne hepress r oj sa d holdi g mean du nsprei t mined periods of 'thecycle of operation of; said tension-,-v i s m ns, s d ynn oniz means includi a control shaft, .said shalf t having cam rneansi for a tuati ssa d pr ssurean yine m ans end-gearing means foractuati g said itensioning means. sa d e si n ng means including al Press amb r an aplunse -i s res ga halein said chamber. mea ia thr adinesaid sti'enda cuiid the ba s id p e r p lyinemeans ner asins he p ssure an a d hold em n d rin QPQEflr on e ai i p ung r-team n ionine mea s-a sc i Q 1d ligi10 r erm ens ntata ai r acm ated by said searing ns-sanded meanaeagas ne- Said; t nd. id: pressure pp rin smean deer as ne-therre s ire on said hol in I d ss ngre eneratin -ctsaidsactdormiae said pressure applying means including a rock shaft having a crank arm engaging said cam, a leaf spring engaging said holding means, an actuating means operatively connecting said leaf spring to said rock shaft.

6. A pressure controlling device comprising means for holding a strand, means spaced from said holding means for applying tension to a strand and means for applying a variable pressure to said holding means, synchronizing means operatively connecting said pressure ap lying means with said tensioning means, said tensioning and pressure applying means each having a cyclic operation, said pressure applying means respectively increasing and decreasing the pressure on said holding means during predetermined periods of the cycle of operation of said tensioning means, said synchronizing means including a control shaft, said shaft having cam means for actuating said pressure applying means and gearing means for actuating said tensioning means, said tensioning means including a bale press chamber and a plunger for pressing a bale in said chamber, means for threading said strand around the bale, said pressure applying means increasing the pressure on' said holding means during operation of said plunger, said tensioning means also including a knot-forming means rotatably actuated by said gearing means, said last means engaging said strand, said pressure applying means decreasing the pressure on said holding means during the operation of said knotforming means, said pressure applying means including a rock shaft having a crank arm engaging said cam, a leaf spring engaging said holding means, an actuating means operatively connecting said leaf spring to said rock shaft, said actuating means including an abutment surface on said rock shaft, a bolt supporting said leaf spring on said surface.

7. A pressure controlling device comprising means for holding a strand, means spaced from said holding means for applying tension to a strand and means for applying a variable pressure to said holding means, synchronizing means o eratively connecting said pressure a plying means with said tensioning means, said tensioning and pressure applying means each having a cyclic operation, said pressure applying means respectively increasing and decreasing the pressure on said holding means during predetermined periods of the cycle of operation of said tensioning means, said synchronizing means including a control shaft, said shaft having cam means for actuating said pressure applying means and gearing means for actuating said tensioning means, said tensioning means including a bale press chamber and a plunger for pressing a bale in said chamber, means for threading said strand around the bale, said pressure applying means increasing the pressure on said holding means during operation of said plunger, said tensioning means also including a knot-forming means rotatably actuated by said gearing means, said last means engaging said strand, said pressure applying means decreasing the pressure on said holding means during the operation of said knotforming means, said pressure applying means including a rock shaft having a crank arm engaging said cam, a leaf spring engaging said holding means, an actuating means operatively connecting said leaf spring to said rock shaft, said actuating means including an abutment surface on said rock shaft, a bolt supporting said leaf 6 spring on said surface, said leaf spring having an elongated slot receiving said bolt.

8. A pressure controlling device comprising means for holding a strand, means spaced from said holding means for applying tension to a strand and means for applying a variable pressure to said holding means, synchronizing means operatively connecting said pressure applying means with said tensioning means, said tensioning and pressure applying means each having a cyclic operation, said pressure applying means respectively increasing and decreasing the pressure on said holding means during predetermined periods of the cycle of operation of said tensioning means, said synchronizing means including a control shaft, said shaft having cam means for actuating said pressure applying means and gearing means for actuating said tensioning means, said tensioning means including a bale press chamber and a plunger for pressing a bale in said chamber, means for threading said strand around the bale, said pressure applying means increasing the pressure on said holding means during operation of said plunger, said tensioning means also including a knot-forming means rotatably actuated by said gearing means, said last means engaging said strand, said pressure applying means decreasing the pressure on said holding means during the operation of said knotforming means, said pressure applying means including a rock shaft having a crank arm engaging said cam, a leaf spring engaging said holding means, an actuating means operatively connecting said leaf spring to said rock shaft, said actuating means including an abutment surface on said rock shaft, a bolt supporting said leaf spring on said surface, said leaf spring having an elongated slot receiving said bolt, said leaf spring having an angulated' portion containing said elongated slot, a fulcrum portion on said spring engaging said surface. 7

9. A pressure controlling device comprising means for holding a strand, means spaced from said holding means for applying tension to a strand and means for applying a variable pressure to said holding means, synchronizing means operatively connecting said pressure applying means with said tensioning means, said tensioning and pressure applying means each having a cyclic operation, said pressure applying means respectively increasing and decreasing the pressure on said holding means during predetermined periods of the cycle of operation of said tensioning means, said synchronizing means including a control shaft, said shaft having cam means for actuating said pressure applying means and gearing means for actuating said tensioning means, said tensioning means including a bale press chamber and a plunger for pressing a bale in said chamber, means for threading said strand around the bale, said pressure applying mean increasing the pressure on said holding means during operation of said plunger, said tensioning means also including a knot-forming means rotatably actuated by said gearing means, said last means engaging said strand, said pressure applying means decreasing the pressure on said holding means during the operation of said knot-forming means, said pressure applying means including a rock shaft having a crank arm engaging said cam, a leaf spring engaging said holding means, an actuating means operatively connecting said leaf spring to said rock shaft, said actuating means including an abutment surface on said rock shaft, a bolt supporting said leaf spring on selos uir elzseis lest s ..;'.ns.-lis.uies smeleneotse slot eceiv n airi belt, said. heat sorineherin an ouuul t el port n 'cuutaluine said el n ated lot, a fulor m portion on seirrsmtms en a n said-surface.

IQ. A "pres r controll ng lories eomnrisirl mea s for hold n a strand, means seated :irom sol h lding m ans. "for applying tension to a strand and means for emu-time a variable press re to said holding means, .synehrouizln meaus operativ y con ecting said pr ssure apply n means with s id tensiomng means, said tensioning and pressure applyin mearis-eachharing a cyolio ope ati n, said pressure apply n means. res

spfio v ly creasing and decreasing the pressur n aid holding meansdurm predetermined periods of the cycle of operation, or sai n i ine means, said. synchr nizin means. includin a control haft, aid s ot-t: havin can). means f r actua g d pressure applying means and soarin means for actuatin said tensionins means, said tensionine means including a bale press h mber and .a plunger for pres ing a bale in said chamber, moansxfor threading said strand around he. bale, said pressure applying means increasin th pressure n said holding means during o eration, of said plunger, said tensionng means. also including a knot-forming means rotate-my ao uated by said searin means. said last means enga ing said strand, said pressure applying means decreasing the pressure on, said mums. moansdurinsthe. op ration of said knotforming means. saidv pressure applyin means ineludin a rock shaf having a crank arm engagiu said cam-1 a. leaf ort n e gaging said hold in means, on. aetuotmg means operatively conmeetin said leer spring to said rock shaft, said ac uatin means includin an ebutmentsurface n said rockshait, a. bol up orting said leaf spr ng on. saicl surfiace, said rock shaift having .a plate fixedly secured tangentially thereto, :said auutm nt surfiece being positioned on. said plate.

1.1. A pres ure. o ntrollir s; device comprisin meens for holclirrs: a s and, means spaced from. said holding; means for app yin tension to a. strand and means. for applying s. verisme'pres sure s d: o din means, synohronizingmeans 8 orerati ely sonneettne said pressure applyin moaius with said tensioning means said tension es -anal pressure apply-ins means e h havin a srcli op ation, said pressure. applying means respectively increasing and decreasing the pres- 5.111s on aid holding means during predetermined periods of the. cycle of operation of said tensionlng means said synchronizing mean including a, control shaft, said shaft having cam means for actuating said pressure applying means and gearin means for actuating said tensioning means, said tensioning means moulding a. bale press chamber and a plunger for pressing .axbale in said chamber, means. for threading said'strand around the bale, said pressureapplying means increas-. in the. pressure on said holding means during operation of saidplunger, said tensioning means 150. including a. knot-forming means rotatably actuated by said gearing means, said last means engaging said strand, said pressure applying mfians decreasing the pressure on said holding means during the operation of said knot-forming means, said pressure applying means including a, rockshatt having a crank arm engaging said com, a leaf spring engaging said holding means, an actuating means operatively connecting .said loot surfing to said rock shaft, said actuating means including an abutment surface on said rook shaft, :1 bolt supporting said leaf spring on said surface,v said rock shaft having a plate. fixed- 1y secured tangentially thereto, said abutment surface being positioned on said plate, a, bifursated journal supporting said control shaft, said plate. being disposed between the furcations of said journal.

CARLS. RUDEEN.

Iteferences Cited in the file of this. patent 'UNI'fii-D STATES PATENTS Name Date 257,837 Appleby May 16, 1882 419,154 Miller Jan. 7, 1890. 740,139 Johnston Sept. 29, 1903 988.222, Strange v Mar. 28, 1911 -1,25fl,465 Dudley Feb. 26, 1918 2.5444303; Rudeen July 7, 1953 

